Day 1,403 of Russia’s War on Ukraine: Key Updates

As we reflect on day 1,403 of Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine, significant developments have emerged, particularly in Kyiv. Both military actions and diplomatic efforts are shaping the current landscape. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the situation as of December 28, 2025.

Military Developments

Tragedy struck in Kyiv and its surrounding areas as Russian forces unleashed a powerful assault involving hundreds of missiles and drones. This onslaught coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at devising a strategy to conclude nearly four years of warfare. Reports indicate that at least two lives were lost and 46 individuals, including two children, sustained injuries during the attack.

While en route to his meeting with Trump in Florida, Zelenskyy shared that Russia deployed nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles, predominantly targeting essential infrastructure, including energy systems. Ukraine’s energy provider, Ukrenergo, reported extensive damage to energy facilities, prompting emergency power outages across the capital, leaving over a million households without electricity.

Following these strikes, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba noted that more than 40% of residential properties in Kyiv lacked heating, with temperatures hovering around freezing. Additionally, Poland’s Air Navigation Services Agency announced the temporary closure of Rzeszow and Lublin airports due to the attacks, while Polish jets were placed on alert. Fortunately, no breaches of Polish airspace were documented.

In response to the threat, Russian air defense intercepted 11 drones aimed at Moscow, according to the city’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin. Russia’s aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, also indicated that Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports enforced temporary flight restrictions for safety reasons.

Moreover, Russian officials claimed success in capturing several Ukrainian towns, including Myrnohrad, Rodynske, and Artemivka in Donetsk, as well as Huliaipole and Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhia. However, Ukraine’s military reported successfully repelling Russian advances near Myrnohrad and Huliaipole.

Political and Diplomatic Efforts

Amid the ongoing military situation, Zelenskyy announced via Telegram that discussions with European leaders were on his agenda following his meeting with Trump. This dialogue aims to reinforce Ukraine’s stance in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, intending to prevent Russia from extending its campaign of aggression.

Key topics for discussion include territorial disputes, a significant roadblock in negotiations, as both a 20-point peace framework and a security guarantee deal approach finalization. During his travels to Florida, Zelenskyy made a stop in Halifax, Canada, where he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Carney condemned the recent Russian attacks, labeling them “barbarism,” and affirmed Canada’s commitment to support Ukraine with an additional $1.83 billion in economic assistance.

Following his meeting in Canada, Zelenskyy connected with various European leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed appreciation for initiatives that strive toward a lasting peace that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty. Similarly, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, reassured that the EU’s backing for Ukraine would remain steadfast, regardless of the circumstances.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Zelenskyy enjoys “full support” from European leaders ahead of his talks with Trump. NATO and EU leaders pledged to work in unison with the U.S. for a fair and enduring peace in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron, in a call with Zelenskyy, remarked on the latest Russian attacks as evidence that Moscow was uninterested in peace talks, emphasizing the stark contrast between Ukraine’s commitment to peace and Russia’s inclination to prolong the conflict.

In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that if Ukraine remains unyielding to a peaceful resolution, Russia would strive to achieve all objectives of its “special military operation” through force.

Conclusion

The situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, combining tragic ongoing military conflicts with diplomatic efforts aimed at securing peace. While the battle persists, Ukraine remains resolute in its quest for strength and stability in the face of such adversity.

• Ukraine faced a significant Russian missile and drone assault, resulting in casualties.
• Power outages affected over a million households in Kyiv following the attack.
• Zelenskyy is actively pursuing discussions with international leaders to enhance ceasefire negotiations.
• The EU and NATO leaders continue to express unwavering support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.